Medford,MA – Tips on saving money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy; an all-electric car and a hybrid bicycle; a visit by Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster; and the presentation of Green Communities grants to municipal officials from Arlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Medford, Melrose, Newton and Salem highlighted the “Harvest Your Energy Festival” co-sponsored by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
Held at the base of Medford’s 100 kilowatt wind turbine at the McGlynn elementary and middle schools, the festival was the second of two regional DOER events designed to spur clean energy action at the community and household level. The first took place at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. The festival was co-sponsored by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), DOER, the city of Medford and MassEnergy Consumers Alliance.
At an award ceremony as part of the fair, Commissioner Giudice presented municipal officials with Green Communities certificates and congratulated them on grants that will finance the following projects:
Arlington: $200,188 to improve energy efficiency of lighting and steam traps, and for an energy management system at the Hardy School.
Cambridge: $283,770 for an energy efficiency revolving fund for municipal facilities.
Lexington: $158,083 for an energy efficient street lighting project.
Medford: $271,651 for energy efficiency measures at Medford High School and to update the municipal climate action plan.
Melrose: $176,265 for an energy efficient roof at Melrose High School, for energy expert consulting services and to support the salary of an energy efficiency coordinator.
Newton: $179,500 to be leveraged with other funding for a deep energy efficiency retrofit of the Lower Falls Community Center.
Salem: $245,624 for energy efficient streetlights, to buy down the cost of an energy service company contract, a residential weatherization pilot program and a bike sharing pilot program.